Florida: Discover the heritage

Southern Living, Feb 2001

With more than 1,800 miles of coastline, Florida has an impressive maritime heritage, ranging from lighthouses to sunken treasure. The seagoing legacy continues today with cruises that depart from Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Miami, and Tampa.

To recapture the past and enjoy the present, visit these sites.

At 175 feet, Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, just south of Daytona Beach, is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States. The original support buildings contain exhibits that include ship models, antique sextants, and several Fresnel lenses.

The redbrick Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is topped with its authentic firstorder Fresnel lens.

The Cape Florida Lighthouse, which was spared by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, sits at the end of Key Biscayne, 6 miles from downtown Miami.

The Key West Lighthouse and East Martello Museum rewards visitors with a great view of downtown.

The St. Marks Lighthouse is located in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Key West Shipwreck Historeum, on Mallory Square, tells the history of Old Key West.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum in Key West contains artifacts recovered by treasure hunter Mel Fisher from the wrecks of the Atocha and the Margarita.

Of the ten shelters built for shipwrecked sailors along the east coast, Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge & Museum in Stuart is the only one left.

ETHNIC HERITAGE

The world's cultures paint a colorful legacy across Florida. More than 60 different ethnic groups have been documented by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, and that's only the tip of the state.

It begins with the American Indians who lived here when European explorers first arrived. Some tribes, such as the Timucuas, Apalachee, and Tequesta, disappeared centuries ago. Others, such as the Seminole and Miccosukee, now proudly share their culture and crafts with visitors to their reservations.

The heritage of Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas all come together in one glorious collage of customs, creeds, and cuisines. Here's a sample of ways to experience the ethnic heritage of Florida.

African American

The Annual Black Heritage Festival in New Smyrna Beach, February 24, features storytelling, exhibits, and entertainment.

American Beach, on Amelia Island, was founded by millionaire A.L. Lewis as Florida's first African American beach. It reached its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s. Look for Lewis' greatgranddaughter, MaVyne Betsch, who still lives there and loves to tell its story.

Eatonville, a tiny community incorporated in 1887 just north of Orlando, is considered to be the country's oldest African American municipality Take a tour of the historic district, and be sure to visit the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, named for the hometown writer.

The Jackie Robinson Ball Park in Daytona Beach was the site of professional baseball's first integrated game. A commemorative statue of Robinson stands at the entrance.

Kingsley Plantation, near Jacksonville, was the home of Zephaniah Kingsley and his wife, Anna Jai, a freed slave who often ran the plantation in her husband's absence. Notable are the ruins of 28 slave cabins built of tabby.